Loading machine



Oct. 4, 1949.

A. L EE LOADING MACHINE $6 Shee'ts-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 6, 1945 INVENTOR;ARTHUR L..LEE, BY

ATT Y Oct. 4, 1949. A. L. LEE 2,483,650

LOADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 6, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR, ARTHUR L,LEE,

Oct. 4, 1949. A. L. LEE

. LOADING MACHINE 3 Shefs-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 6, 1945 INVENTOR, AE'THURL.. LEE,

Patented Oct. 4, 1949 2,483,650 LOADING MACHINE Arthur L. Lee, UpperArlington, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to The JeffreyManufacturing Company, a corporation of Ohio Application August 6, 1945,Serial No. 609,076

10Claims. (01. 180-1) This invention relates to a loading machine.

An object of the invention is to provide a loading machine with improvedsteering wheels which may be vertically adjusted relative to the mainframe of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a loading machine withsteering wheels which may be raised off the ground while one end of themachine is supported for swinging movement independently of saidsteering wheels.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle withmechanical means for looking or latching vertically adjustable steeringwheels independently of theirladjusting mechanism.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novelfeatures and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying. drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a loading machine incorporating thefeatures of myinvention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevational view through one of thesteering wheels and adjacent structure, taken on the line 22 of Fig. 4,with certain parts omitted in the interest of clearness;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2,looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the steering wheels of the loadingmachine and associated apparatus;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the steeringwheels and associated apparatus; and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a detail taken on the line 6-0 of Fig. 5,looking in the direction of the arrows, a part being shown in section.

This application is a continuation in part of my application for aLoading machine, Serial No. 530,361, filed April 10, 1944, which itfollows in structure, except for such differences as are disclosed orapparent. While not particularly important to the invention hereinspecifically disclosed and claimed, it may. be mentioned that themaohinepreferably follows'a modification of my parent case, Serial No. 530,361,which is disclosed in my application for Loading machine,

Serial No. 595,047, filed May 21, 1945, now abandoned. It Preferablyalso contains a modification of my parent case Serial No. 530,361, whichis disclosed in the application of Sterling 0. Moon for Loading machine,Serial No. 607,928, filed July 31, 1945.

. The loading machine includes a main frame l0 supported upon a pair offront traction wheels H and a pair of rear steering wheels I2. Thevehicle is self-propelled and when it is being transported byself-propulsion from one place to another the four wheels II and I2 arein contact with the ground, the steering wheels l2 providing forsteering of the vehicle.

When the machine is in operation to load material, the rear end iselevated preferably by lowering the wheels l2, under power, with respectto the main frame i0, whereupon a hydraulic or mechanical jack I3,carried by the rear end of the main frame I0, is swung to its operativeposition, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and anchored betweenthe floor and roof. This jack l3 provides a. pivotal support for therear end of the main frame i0, after which the steering wheels l2 may beelevated to the positions illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawingsand there latched in position. Thereafter, the traction wheels ll areswung inwardly about upright pivots, as disclosed in detail in my parentcase Serial No. 530,361, whereupon by operatin them the vehicle may beswung in a substantially horizontal plane about the axis of the jack !3.

The loader includes a gathering head It provided with a pair ofgathering conveyors, as disclosedin detail in my parent case Serial No.530,361, which gather coal as the head M is fed rectilinearly relativeto the main frame l0 into a pile of loose or semi-compact coal. Thisgathered coal is delivered to an endless conveyor 15 which travels overthe main frame l0 the working run thereof extending through a, trough 16formed in the top of the main frame l0 and constituting telescopingparts, a portion of which is connected to the head section It toreciprocate therewith, the other portion being a stationary part of themain frame l0. Coal received in the trough I6 is conveyed rearwardly bythe conveyor I5 and discharged over the tail section of the main frameit into a receiving conveyor or other receptacle adjacent the roof jackl3.

To provide for steering of the two wheels l2 while also providing fortheir relative vertical or up and down adjustment with respect to themain frame l0, requires special construction which is disclosed in.detail in the drawings. Each wheel i2 is of substantially the sameconstruction and thus only one of them need be described in detail. Suchdifferences as exist wil1 be specifically mentioned.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings, it will be seenthat each wheel i2 is mounted 'on a stub axle ll which is formed as anintegral part of an upstanding shaft is. The

lower portion of the shaft I8 is provided with a reduced neck whichreceives a thrust antifriction bearing l3 which is received in a bracket20 through which it transmits the load to the outer end of a heavypivoted lever or arm 2! which is connected thereto by a pivot pin 22.The arm 2| extends rearwardly from the wheel and is pivotally connectedby a stub shaft 23 to the main frame I0.

Up and down adjustment of the wheel I2 is effected by a double actingpiston motor 24, the cylinder 25 of which is pivotally supported bytrunnions 26 in a bracket 21 provided on the main frame Ill. Thehydraulic piston motor 24 is of the double acting type and is controlledby a valve which when in its neutral position will trap the fluid onopposite sides of the piston thereof to lock it in any position. Thus,the wheel l2 may be adjusted to various up and down positions relativeto the main frame it and locked in adjusted position. A piston rod 28 ofthe piston motor 24 is pivotally connected to the 4 lever or arm 2| by apivot pin 29.

The up and down adjustment of the wheels I 2 relative to the main frameI is useful while the machine is being transported, particularly overuneven ground. Furthermore, it provides a self-contained lifting jackfor the discharge end of the vehicle so that when the jack 3 is swungfrom its inoperative or carrying position during which it is supportedby a supporting bracket 30, as disclosed in full detail in the abovementioned application of Sterling C. Moon, Serial No. 601928, to itsoperative position, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the rear end of the frameIn may be raised and lowered to aid in anchoring the jack l3.Furthermore, once the Jack I 3 is anchored and provides pivotal supportfor'the discharge end of the main frame lo, the motors 24 may beactuated to lift the wheels I2 completely oil the ground and to theelevated position, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and of the drawings.

In order to relieve the motors 24 of their holding 'wheels l2 inelevated position, I preferably provide locking or latching means whichautomatically latch said wheels in said elevated position and which canbe released whenever it is desired to lower them. Such latching meansincludes a pivoted latch 3| (see Fig. 5), which has a rearward notchadapted to receive and support a ledge 32 formed on the arm 2 I. The twolatches 3| are connected together by a cross-rod 33, (see Fig. 4), toopposite ends of which the pair of latches 3| are rigidly attached byrivets 34.

An actuating rod 35 is provided for the two latches 3|, such rod 35extending rearwardly from one of them and being pivotally connected toan operating lever 36 which when operated will release the two latches,permitting the arm 2| to be moved downwardly by the motors 24. Thebottom portions of the latches 3| are tapered on their rear faces, asclearly illustrated in Fig. 5 of they drawing-s, so that when the arms2| are swung upwardly they will automatically contact these taperedsurfaces and swing the latches 3| forwardly against the action ofgravity. When the arms 2| reach their uppermost positions, the latches3| will automatically move under the influence of gravity to swingrearwardly and engage the ledges 32. Thus the elevating or adjustingmotors 24 will be relieved of all load by the mechanical latching orlocking means when the steering wheels l2 are in their uppermostpositions relative to the main frame l0. v

The upper portion of the shaft i8 receives a concentric sleeve or tube31 which is feathered or keyed thereto, since the lower portion thereofis provided with a pair of keys 38 which are welded thereto (see Fig. 3)and which are slidably received in keyways 39 on diametrically oppositesides of said shaft IS. The head of a screw 40 prevents the sleeve 31coming off the shaft l8 by contacting one of the keys 38 when sleeve 31is moved upwardly relative to shaft l8 a predetermined amount. It is thuobvious that shaft I8 and tube 31 must rotate together about theircoincidental upright axes which is the steering axis of the wheel I2.

A second sleeve or tube 4| is telescopically received by the sleeve 31and is feathered or keyed to rotate therewith while being adjustableaxially or longitudinally, as is the tube 31 with respect to shaft l8.Tube 4| is provided at its bottom with a pair of keys 42 (see Figs. 2and 3) which are welded thereto and which are slidably received inkeyways 43 formed on diametrically opposite sides of the outer surfaceof the tube 31, keyways 43 terminating short at the top thereof, asclearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, to prevent disengagementof tubes 31 and 4| as they are telescopically adjusted to increase theireffective length.

The outer surface of the tube 4| is provided with a pair of keyways withwhich slidable keys 44 cooperate, said keys 44 being carried at thebottom of a concentric tube or sleeve 45 which telescopically receivesthe chute 4|; the keyways in the external surface of said tube 4|terminating short of the top thereof to prevent disengagement of saidtubes 4| and 45 as the telescopic adjustment between them is effected.

From the above description it is obvious that tubes 45, 4| and 31'co-operate with the upper portion of the shaft Is to provide atelescoping adjustment between the tube 45 and the shaft l8 so thatrelative axial or rectilinear adjustment between them is permitted,while at the same time insuring a rotational or torque driving relationbetween the tube 45 and the shaft l8 through the intermediary of thetubes 4| and 31. In other words, any steering or rotational movement ortorque applied to the tube 45 will produce similar movement of the axlel1 and wheel l2.

The tube 45 is held against axial or up and down movement with respectto the main frame I!) while being mounted for rotational and pivotalmovement on a horizontal axis. This mounting is effected as follows. Theupper end of the tube 45 carries a pair of axially spaced rings 46 whichare rigidly attached to the tube 45 and which receive a split collar orring 41 mounted in trunnions 48 carried in a bracket ring 49 which ismounted on a supporting bracket 50 rigidly attached to the main frameI0. It is evident that the trunnions provide for swinging or pivotalmovement of the tube or sleeve 45 on a horizontal axis, while the spacedrings 46 provide for turning or rotational movement of the tube 45relative to the ring or split collar 41.

Since the tubes 45 do not move upwardly and downwardly relative to themain frame l0, it is possible to connect said tubes 45 on opposite sidesof the frame III, or, in other words, those individual to each of thetwo wheels l2, so that the two wheels |2 will move in unison to effectproper steering. To this end each of the tubes 45 is provided adjacentits lower end with a bracket or arm 5| (see Figs. 4 and 5), the two arms5| being connected by a cross tie-rod 52 which extends through the mainframe I0.

Actuation of the steering mechanism is effected by a double actinghydraulic piston motor 53, the cylinder of which is pivotally connectedby a bracket 54 to the main frame l and the piston rod of which isconnected preferably by a ball and socket joint to an operating lever orarm 55 (see Fig. 4) which is rigidly attached near the top of one of thetubes or sleeves 45. It is evident that by rotating one of the sleeves45 the rotational ,or torque movement will be transmitted to the otherthrough the tie-rod 52 and arms 5| and that the rotational movement ofthese two tubes 45 together will be transmitted through their associatedtelescopic mechanism to the brackets 11, thus swinging the two wheels 12together to effect steering adjustment thereof.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in thedetails and arrangement of parts without depart'ng from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and Itherefore wish not to be restricted to the precise construction hereindisclosed.

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of my invention, what Idesire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

l. A device of the class described including a frame, a steering wheel,an axle for said wheel,

an upstanding shaft rigidly connected with said axle, means forvertically adjusting said axle, telescoping tubes keyed to rotate withsaid shaft while vertically adjustable relative thereto, means holdingone of said tubes against all up and down movement relative to saidframe, and means for rotating said one tube including a member connectedto said one tube.

2. A device of the class described including a frame, a steering wheel,an axle for said wheel, an upstanding shaft rigidly connected with saidaxle, means for vertically adjusting said axle, telescoping tubes keyedto rotate with said shaft while vertically adjustable relative thereto,means holding one .of said tubes against all vertical movement relativeto said frame, and means for rotating said one tube.

3. In a vehicle, the combination with a frame, vertically adjustablesteering wheels on said frame for normally carrying and steering saidvehicle, means for steering said wheels, hydraulic motor means forvertically adjusting said wheels relative to said frame, andmechanicalmeans for latching said wheels in at least one position against downwardmovement.

4. In a vehicle, the combination with a frame, vertically adjustablesteering wheels on said frame, means for steering said wheels, hydraulicmotor means for vertically adjusting said wheels, mechanical means forlatching said wheels in at least one position against downward movement,said steering means including a telescoping torque transmittingconnection for each wheel, means interconnecting said telescopingconnections whereby they rotate together on their longitudinal axis, andmeans for rotating one of said telescoping connections, the rotarymovement of which is transferred to the otherthrougli said connectingmeans.

5. A machine including an elongated substantially horizontally extendingmain frame, a pair of steering wheels, one on each side .of said mainframe, means for raising and lowering said wheels relative to said mainframe, means for steering said wheels while in various positions ofelevation relative to said main frame, said means including an axle foreach wheel mounted for pivotal movement .on an upright axis, an upwardlyextending shaft rigidly attached to each axle along the axis of rotationthereof and movable upwardly and downwardly with its associated axle andwheel, means telescoping with each shaft and having a driving connectiontherewith whereby rotation thereof about the axis .of the associatedshaft will be transmitted to said shaft, each of said telescoping meansincluding a member mounted for rotary movement but held against up anddown movement relative to said main frame, crank and tie rod meansinterconnecting said two members whereby they rotate together abouttheir spaced axes, and means for operating said two members to steersaid wheels together.

6. A machine including an elongated substantially horizontally extendingmain frame, a pair of steering wheels, one on eachside of said mainframe, means for raising and lowering said wheels relative to said mainframe, means for steering said wheels while in various positions ofelevation relative to said main frame, said means including an axle foreachwheel mountedfor pivotal movement on an upright axis, an upwardlyextending shaft rigidly attached to each axle along the axis of rotationthereof and movable upwardly and downwardly with its associated axle andwheel, means telescoping with each shaft and having adriving connectiontherewith whereby rotation thereof about the axis of the associatedshaft will be transmitted to said shaft, each of said telescoping meansincluding a member mounted for rotary movement but held against up anddown movement relative to said main frame, crank and tie rod meansinterconnecting said two members whereby they rotate together abouttheir spaced axes, said means for raising and lowering said wheelsincluding hydraulic motor mechanism, and mechanical means for latchingsaid wheels in an elevated position.

7. A machine including an elongated substam tially horizontallyextending main frame, a pair of steering wheels, one on each side ofsaid main frame, means for raising and lowering said wheels relative tosaid main frame, means for steering said wheels While in variouspositions of elevation relative to said main frame, said means includingan axle for each wheel mounted for pivotal movement on an upright axis,an upwardly extending shaft rigidly-attached to each axle along the axisof rotation thereof and movable upwardly and downwardly with itsassociated axle and wheel, means telescoping with each shaft and havinga driving connection therewith whereby rotation thereof about the axisof the associated shaft will be transmitted to said shaft, each of saidtelescoping means including a member mounted for rotary movement butheld against up and down movement relative to said main frame, crank andtie rod means interconnecting said two members whereby they rotatetogether about their spaced axes, said means for raising and loweringsaid wheels including hydraulic motor mechanism, and mechanical meansforlocking said wheels in one position of adjustment.

8. A vehicle including a longitudinally extending frame, a pair ofsteering wheels, one on each side of said frame, each of said wheelshaving a wheel supporting axle, a pair of arms pivoted to said frame,one supporting each axle at one end for up and down movement, hydraulicmotor means for adjusting each pivoted arm, means mounting each axle forswinging movement on I an upright axis, means interconnecting said axlesfor movement together including a telescoping upright connector for eachaxle having an axis of notation coincidental with one of said uprightaxes, a cross-rod movable rectilinearly longitudinally but held againstsubstantial up and down movement relative to said frame andinterconnecting said telescoping connectors, mechanical means forlatching said wheels in one position, and means for actuating saidcross-rod to effect simultaneous steering movement of said wheels forvarious positions of adjustment.

9. A vehicle including a longitudinally extending frame, a pair ofsteering wheels, one on each side of said frame, each of said wheelshaving a wheel supporting axle, a pair of arms pivoted to said frame,one supporting each axle at one end for up and down movement, motormeans for adjusting each pivoted arm, means mounting each axle forswinging movement on an upright axis, means interconnecting said axlesfor movement together including a telescoping upright connector for eachaxle having an axis of rotation coincidental with one of said uprightaxes, a cross-rod movable rectilinearly longitudinally but held againstsubstantial up and down movement relative to said frame andinterconnecting said telescoping connectors, mechanical means forlatching said wheels in one position, and means for actuating saidcross-rod to effect simultaneous steering movement of said wheels forvarious positions of adjustment.

10. A vehicle including a longitudinally extending frame, a pair ofsteering wheels, one on each side of said frame, each of said wheelshaving a wheel supporting axle, a pair of arms pivoted to said frame,one supporting each axle at one end for up and down movement, motormeans for adjusting each pivoted arm, means mounting each axle forswinging movement on an upright axis, means interconnecting said axlesfor movement together including a telescoping upright connector for eachaxle having an axis of rotation coincidental with one of said uprightaxes, a cross-rod movable rectilinearly longitudinally but held againstsubstantial up and down movement relative to said frame andinterconnecting said telescoping connectors, and means for actuatingsaid cross-rod to effect simultaneous steering movement of said wheelsfor various positions of adjustment.

ARTHUR L. LEE.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,290,200Holmested Jan. 7, 1919 1,636,620 Berry July 19, 1927 1,710,129 WhitnallApr. 23, 1929 1,810,119 Bebinger June 16, 1931 1,842,604 Guest Jan. 26,1932 80 2,181,907 Mofiat et a1. Dec. 5, 1939 2,326,857 Holstein Aug. 17,1943 2,360,282 Russell Oct. 10, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date390,901 Great Britain Apr. 20, 1933

